Stomach pain, gas, nausea, fever, constipation, diarrhea. We all have had these symptoms at one time or another. However, these can also be symptoms of diverticulitis. Especially if symptoms are ongoing, and you are over age 40.
What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is a form of colitis—an inflammatory bowel disease. Small pouches can form in the digestive tract. The pouches alone do not tend to be problematic unless they become inflamed, which can lead to a rupture and subsequently, infection. The infection can spread and infiltrate the bladder, pelvis, bowel or abdomen, causing these complications:
· collection of pus (abscess) in the pelvis
· colon obstruction
· generalized infection of the abdominal cavity (bacterial peritonitis)
· bleeding into the colon
Can CBD treat diverticulitis?
By its name, diverticulitis is an inflammation. Obviously, you want to avoid getting the condition, which means you should maintain a healthful diet, regular exercise, healthy weight and the usual moderate lifestyle choices for good health. But, things happen, and when diverticulitis occurs, CBD may be helpful. A known anti-inflammatory, CBD also interacts with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system. Throughout our bodies are CB1 and CB2 receptors that latch on to the incoming CBD and regulate the immune system. The CBD enhances an endocannabinoid called 2-AG. It binds to the CB2 receptor and reduces the inflammation. The CBD also elevates the cannabinoid anandamide, which binds with the CB1 receptor to reduce the pain associated with diverticulitis.
How to prevent diverticulitis
As I’ve already indicated, a healthful lifestyle is the best way to avoid diverticulitis if you don’t have a hereditary predilection to the condition or are taking medications that may cause it. In a nutshell, a high fiber diet of unprocessed food, not smoking, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of vitamin D will go a long way to helping you prevent this condition.
However, if you do find yourself with diverticulitis, CBD may be an option you hadn’t considered.